Being a true-blue Cebuano, any interesting development in my home city always excites me. Although I’ve lived here in Manila for the past 50 years, I still look forward to settling back in Cebu one day, where I still have close family members, because the city has always been and will always be “home” to me. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn of this new mega-project that will certainly catapult my city into the global horizon.
Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. has announced that its flagship project, the NUSTAR Resort and Casino, will open soon. Construction actually started two years ago but it has been sidetracked by quarantine restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Scheduled to be completed later this year, this will be the biggest lifestyle and entertainment destination outside Metro Manila and is designed to elevate and redefine five-star luxury in gaming, entertainment, leisure, dining, and shopping in Cebu and the rest of Central and Southern Philippines.
Located in Cebu’s picturesque Kawit Island, this new mega-development is strategically poised along the province’s east coast and is easily accessible from the newly expanded Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as well as through the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). These entry points will give the millions residing south of Luzon and tourists from South Korea, China, and Japan easy access to NUSTAR.
Designed by renowned international master development planners and interior designers, this massively luxurious project is guaranteed to evoke a world-class sense of style and sophistication. It will feature a grand casino, with a floor area of 21,000 square meters, occupied by 1,500 slot machines and 250 gaming tables, exclusive private rooms, an entertainment bar, a sports bar, and gourmet dining.
This architectural marvel will have three luxury hotels that will showcase beautifully and functionally-designed rooms bound to elevate the standard in de luxe accommodations. This integrated resort will also include a four-storey, massive, 35,000-square-meter retail space that will house world-renowned labels, high-fashion boutiques, plush VIP cinemas which may be booked for private screenings, and a carefully selected mix of global and regional dining concepts that cater to every discerning palate.
Soon to become Asia’s newest landmark attraction, NUSTAR also has its own Performing Arts Theater for exclusive productions, award-winning musicals, and live concerts. Guaranteed to attract all sizes of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) events is its state-of-the-art, technologically advanced Convention Center which has easily expandable exhibition halls, elegant ballrooms, and a collection of venues that seamlessly combine business and leisure.
I am looking forward to the idyllic and scenic 580-meter Boardwalk, designed by the famous contemporary artist JEFRE, that connects NUSTAR to the Cebu strait. Of course, I can hardly wait to have some unadulterated fun with family and friends at the beautifully designed Water Theme Park. But, I’m sure my first stop, when I visit, will be up at the Skydeck of the main hotel tower, which allows guests to experience the breathtaking views of Cebu strait and the cityscape from atop the 116-meter-high summit.
Since we have to learn how to live with the threat of Covid in our midst, this ultra-modern resort guarantees the services of a 100 percent-vaccinated workforce, to ensure guests’ safety and security during their visit. All entry points, venues, and attractions are equipped with modern, WHO-accredited disinfectant facilities and procedures, to give guests peace of mind when they are at the resort.
As a Cebuano in heart and spirit, I certainly am looking forward to this newest star among my province’s sparkling galaxy of world-class attractions…NUSTAR Resort and Casino will twinkle brightly like a diamond in the sky.
YOUR monday CHUCKLE
OVERHEARD FROM A SENIOR: The older I get, the earlier it gets late!
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